The Nature & Nurture of Identity

The Nature & Nurture of Identity examines intersectional identity, as it includes hair portraits drawn on papers that are fragmented, yet secured together. The paper itself functions as a metaphor for language as labels can fracture the identity of a unified, singular individual. The subject of hair, a topic discussed today particularly in regards to race bias, can express many facets of identity. The portraits express religion, race, age, gender, and disease in various combinations through the styling and texture of the hair depicted as well as the titles which are the names of the models. In doing so, the hair illuminates natural, genetic givens and cultural decisions simultaneously to represent a individual's unique identity.